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To test effects of water aerobics (WA) on weight and glucose. RESEARCH DESIGN: A one-group pre/post-test study assessed effects of WA 3 times/week for 12 weeks on weight, A1c, measurements, and extremity blood flow. SAMPLE: 34 Overweight Hispanic and African American males and females, 40-65 with Type 2 diabetes. FINDINGS: Data for 10 subjects show: Weight, M -1.85 lbs. (-12 to +5); A1c levels lowered M -0.4% (-1.9 to +0.4). Inches lost were: 1. neck = M -0.5 (-1.5 to +.5), 2. waist = M -1.85 (-6 to 0); 3. hips = M -1.35 (-2.25 to +1); 4. thighs = M +0.2 inches (-2 to +4). TCpO^sub 2^; M -2mmHg (-17 to +16); TCpCO^sub 2^, M 1.25mmHg (-11 to +15). Blood glucose was M -70 mg/dl/session (+22 to -111). RESULTS : WA effectively reduces A1c. A decrease of 1% of A1c reduces risk of stroke and heart attack by 40%.

Data show that 18.2 million Americans or 6.3% of the population have diabetes [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), 2002]. Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) accounts for about 90% of cases. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness among people 20 to 74 years of age. Forty-four percent of cases of end-stage renal disease are related to diabetes. An estimated 82,000 non-traumatic lower-extremity amputations are performed annually due to peripheral vascular disease and peripheral neuropathy related to diabetes (DHHS, 2000). Treatment costs for diabetes amount to $132 billion annually (Mayer-Davis, D'Antonio, & Tudor-Locke, 2003). Each complication costs about $50,000 per case and adds to the escalating costs of Healthcare and human suffering. Means to reduce complications are greatly needed. A regular exercise program is one possible option.

Type 2 DM disproportionately affects ethnic populations, especially Hispanics, African Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Asian-Pacific Islanders. Additionally, these ethnic groups have more T2DM complications (DHHS, 2002). T2DM contributes to health disparities between minority groups and Caucasians (Rewers, Shetterly, & Hamman, 1995).

Studies show that obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are related to an increase in T2DM (Cary, Walters, Colditz, et al., 1997). Regular vigorous activity decreases the likelihood of T2DM and improves blood glucose control in people with T2DM (Hu, Sigal, Rich-Edwards, et al., 1999). The National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney disease called for research into diabetes and physical activity (Wing, Goldstein, Acton, et al., 2001).